Japan's 'posthumous divorce' rise reflects burdens of aging society
In Japan, more people are choosing what is known as “posthumous divorce,” a legal process that allows a surviving spouse to officially cut ties with the family of a deceased husband or wife. According to a report by Nikkei, the number of these cases increased for the third straight year, reaching more than 4,000 filings in 2024.
Posthumous divorce, officially called “termination of affinity relations,” does not end a marriage because the spouse has already died. Instead, it legally removes the relationship between the surviving spouse and the deceased partner’s relatives. The process only requires paperwork from the surviving spouse, and the in-laws do not need to give permission or receive official notice.
In the past, many women used posthumous divorce to free themselves from traditional expectations in Japanese society. Some daughters-in-law no longer wanted to continue caring for elderly parents-in-law or managing family graves after their husbands passed away. Experts say the practice became especially noticeable during the 2010s.
Today, practical concerns are becoming a more common reason for these filings. One reported case involved a woman in her 40s who ended legal ties with her late husband’s family to avoid becoming responsible for caring for his elderly parents, both of whom had dementia. The article suggests that Japan’s rapidly aging population is increasing caregiving pressures on families.
Japan’s aging society is believed to be one of the major factors behind the trend. Millions of people from the country’s “Dankai generation,” or baby boomers born after World War II, are now reaching old age. As the number of elderly people grows, family caregiving responsibilities are also becoming more difficult and stressful for many households.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source : https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260529/japans-posthumous-divorce-rise-reflects-burdens-of-aging-society |
